1.4: Statements

A portion of the total available points for this course are allotted to your performance in lab. This includes an expectation for preparation before the lab period, arriving on time, using time effectively, performing the tasks well, contributing to the culture of safety, and helping to maintain a clean and safe environment. Your performance and professionalism in the lab is assessed through Lab Citizenship points. 

🌟What does it mean to be a "Good Lab Citizen"?

Lab Citizenship refers to more than just following rules. It means self-regulating your behavior in a way that supports a safe, respectful, and productive lab environment—without needing constant reminders from instructors.

Your instructors are here to support your learning, not to act as the "lab police." We expect that you will take ownership of your space, your preparation, and your conduct. This includes not just compliance with safety policies, but also contributing positively to the shared environment, being considerate of others, and acting professionally.

Good Lab citizens:

• Arrive on time and ready to work
• Wear proper lab attire and PPE at all times without reminders
• Turn notifications off on electronic devices used during meetings
• Clean up after themselves and leave shared spaces better than they found them
• Use lab time effectively and help their group stay on track
• Label solutions, handle chemicals safely, and follow disposal protocols
• Respect the physical space, equipment, and people in the lab

When you do these things consistently, it frees your instructors to focus on helping you learn and grow as scientists — not on enforcing rules. Your Lab Citizenship grade score reflects your ability to self-regulate and contribute to a positive lab culture.

 Lab Citizenship Checklist

Each Wet Lab session, you can earn 1 Lab Citizenship point by demonstrating professional, safe, and respectful lab conduct. This point is awarded as an “all-or-nothing” score based on the following expectations.

\(
\begin{array}{|l|}
\hline
\textbf{Daily Lab Citizenship Expectations (1 pt)} \\
\hline
\text{✔ Arrived on time and stayed the full session} \\
\text{✔ Worked safely and efficiently; used time well*} \\
\text{✔ Wore appropriate PPE and clothing without reminders} \\
\text{✔ Cleaned glassware, workspace, and instruments used} \\
\text{✔ Labeled all solutions and disposed of waste properly} \\
\text{✔ Maintained a respectful, team-oriented lab environment} \\
\hline
\end{array}
\)

⚠️ Students will not receive partial credit—failure to meet any of these expectations may result in 0 points for the day.
*Distraction by electronic devices (messages, social media) during lab time is considered a violation of safety and using time well. You are advised to turn off notifications on electronic devices used during meetings.

Lab Citizenship Penalties

While Lab Citizenship is typically graded on a 1-point-per-session basis, certain behaviors may result in point deductions from your lab report score. These behaviors compromise safety, professionalism, or lab functionality and require stronger consequences.

Repeated or serious infractions will result in direct point deductions from your lab report grade for the corresponding module. The instructional team will notify you if a deduction has been applied and explain why. Some, but not all, examples are shown below:

\(
\begin{array}{|l|l|}
\hline
\textbf{Infraction} & \textbf{Deduction from Report Score} \\
\hline
\text{7—15 minutes late to lab} & -5 \text{ points} \\
\text{16—20 minutes late to lab} & -10 \text{ points} \\
\text{More than 20 minutes late} & -15 \text{ points (not allowed to participate)} \\
\text{Failure to wear safety goggles (after first warning)} & -5 \text{ points per occurrence} \\
\text{Improper lab clothing (after first warning)} & -10 \text{ points per occurrence} \\
\text{Working while visibly ill without a face mask} & -5 \text{ points per occurrence} \\
\hline
\end{array}
\)

⚠️ Repeated issues (e.g. forgetting goggles, being late, or poor cleanup) may also trigger a conversation with the instructional team or department administrators to resolve concerns and may result in failure of the course.